Jotun

Proud fey infused with the spirit of the wilds

Jotunar, also called fey trolls, are one of the few ancient Almish creatures which are not bestial in nature. Instead, these creatures are descended of the fey, their origins rooted deeply in the most hostile of nature’s reaches. Although they draw life from the land, jotunar are far from whimsical sprites; their strength rivals that of any beast, and they are terrible foes indeed.

Nonetheless, they have found little acceptance from beast-kin folk, and thus they remain solitary creatures, diverse and distant. Found in every sort of wilderness—from the forests of Deepwood to the barren outlands, the mountains of Okarthel to the swamps of K’aa—the tenacious jotunar live at one with nature even as they fight to survive it. They are the ancient scions of the wild, beautiful and terrible as the land itself.

Play a jotun if you want…

• be able to eat anything.
• to be inherently connected to the wilderness.
• to be a monstrous creature of fey origin.

Physical Qualities

Jotunar stand head-and-shoulders over most civilised creatures, and are markedly heavier. They are long-limbed and muscular, some straight and tall like mountains while others are bent and twisted like thorn bushes. They have broad foreheads, almond eyes, and short pointed ears. Their skin can seem uniform from a distance, but close observation reveals an intricate banded texture rather like a human fingerprint, and similarly unique.

Beyond this, jotunar appearance is highly variable, reflecting an individual’s environment rather than their genetics. A jotun born in forest or swampland probably has green skin and a moss-like hide, and almost black eyes. Callused brown and red skins are seen in the deserts and mountains, while snowfields or deep caves yield smooth grey and white skins, perhaps with a crystalline aspect. Mountains usually mean sharp, angular noses and jaws, where rivers yield smooth, rounded features.

Jotunar exhibit little sexual dimorphism, and all appear fairly masculine to human sensibilities. Most have no regard for gender, and are left perplexed by the additional traits other cultures ascribe to various body parts and shapes.

Likewise, they seldom understand the desire to modify one’s presentation, since theirs changes naturally with the land. If a jotun should leave their attuned environment, their appearance shifts accordingly—albeit over tens or hundreds of years. Like nature itself, a jotun is both immutable, and ever-changing.

Playing a Jotun

Jotun adventurers are young, almost without exception. Jotunar live far longer than most creatures, even soratami—but actually existing through such a lifespan is rarely compatible with the brief concerns of other creatures. Even if a jotun socialises with other creatures during their prime, almost all of them eventually retreat back to solitude in the wilderness. Some stories hold that jotunar do not die naturally, but simply fall asleep and become rocks, trees, and other parts of nature.

Jotunar are typically solitary, pragmatic and proud. Many are quite stoic, preferring slow but inevitable progress, while others feel that unbridled emotion is the true voice of the wild. They are not without philosophy, but pastimes without practical results have little traction amongst them; typically, one will listen to your words, but base judgements only on your actions.

Jotun adventurers are uncommon but valuable; their tenacity and toughness, as well as their native connection to the wilderness, make them born survivalists. Though they prefer solitude, jotunar can often be persuaded to act as guides or bodyguards in treacherous terrain—at least for a temporary time. A debt may also be a compelling reason for a jotun to join a group; their pride seldom allows such dues to go unpaid. Unscrupulous groups exploring a new land might even capture a jotun and force it to aid them—if they have the power.

Jotun are perceived as… Solitary, unassailable, proud, spiritual, rustic, decisive, practical, physical, determined.

Names: Ald, Ark, Baldur, Drea, Ein, Ix, Keld, Lai, Rhynnu, Rine, Skald, Skarn, Slew, Thrall, Tarn, Urdh.

Jotun names tend to be short and practical, preferably written with a single runic character. Since community living is so rare for them, jotun family names are all but unheard of.